Modern technology has made it so that you can participate in a job interview without leaving your home. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t seriously consider your attire for the meeting.
While most people know to dress in business casual attire for Zoom calls, many aren’t sure about the right colors to make you look put-together and polished.
According to experts, the best colors to wear for Zoom interviews are blue, black, gray, and white. There are also some colors that you should avoid as they may be detrimental to your success.
Read the rest of this guide to discover everything you need to know about which colors to wear and why so you can tap the symbolism and power of color to make a great first impression in your next Zoom interview.
Why Do The Colors You Wear on Zoom Matter?
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The colors you wear on Zoom matter. And it’s not just because some hues show up a lot better than others when using videoconferencing software. It’s also because there’s a certain psychology behind powerful colors that you can leverage for your interview.
Color psychology is the study of how hues influence human perception, moods, and behavior. Different colors evoke different human responses.
For example, bright colors typically make us confident and energetic, whereas earth tones make us calm and reflective. Some colors make us hungry and others bring out our amorous side.
But I guess the big question is, which colors will get you the job?
Different colors represent different emotions and the colors you choose to wear say a lot about you as a candidate. Here’s a quick look at what each color signifies.
Also Read: Signs Your Zoom Interview Went Well
What Do Different Colors Symbolize?
Here are a few examples of popular colors and the subliminal messages they convey.
- Red: Power, passion, love, anger
- Green: Nature, abundance, new beginnings
- Yellow: Hope, joy, deceit
- Orange: Energy, vitality, happiness
- Black: Elegance, mystery, evil
- White: Cleanliness, purity, virtue
- Ocean Blue: Confidence, trust, and stability
- Gray: Conservative, moody, formality
- Blue: Responsible, calm, sadness
- Purple: Creativity, wealth, royalty
- Cream or Ivory: Calm, elegance, purity
- Yellow: Joy, hope, deceit
- Pink: Gentleness, sweetness, femininity
According to a study from Cornell University, the colors you wear can actually signal your worldview and values. They can play a pivotal role in how you’re perceived.
Although we are often told to not judge a book by its cover, our subconscious minds can’t help but make certain assumptions.
So, on Zoom, business casual apparel like blouses, blazers, and button-downs can create different types of impressions depending on their color. That’s why choosing the right colors can have a positive effect on your interview.
The good news is that you can use this information to your advantage by aligning your Zoom meeting wardrobe with your best qualities.
As a rule of thumb, neutral colors are your best bet when using a visual medium like Zoom. However, the actual colors you choose will depend on how you want to be perceived by the interviewer (e.g. traditional, creative, outgoing, assertive, dependable, etc.)
8 Best Colors to Wear for a Successful Zoom Interview
Business formal, business professional, business casual, or just casual – it’s a good idea to conduct a little research on the dress code of the company you’re applying to so you can see what is acceptable.
But, regardless of what the office attire requirement is, the colors listed below are great options that will make you look good on Zoom.
1. Black
Projects: Authority, Leadership, Intelligence, Sophistication, Exclusivity, Discipline, and Mystery
Image by Anna Shvets via Pexel
This formal color is a staple of Zoom meetings. It’s classic, timeless, and a lot less distracting than red, yellow, green, or other vibrant colors.
This commanding color represents power and authority as opposed to a color like brown that might make you come across as staid and passive.
It conveys leadership and is a good option if you want your ideas to be taken seriously. It’s perfect if you’re interviewing for a high-level executive position. It’s also ideal for jobs in management and conservative environments, such as law offices, business, or finance.
Black is also a great choice for your online interview because it looks great on camera.
In fact, even if you don’t want to wear a black suit or dress, you can still leverage this high-powered color by using it as an accent color.
For instance, you might wear a black scarf, tie, or pocket square to show your sense of leadership and authority without actually overwhelming the interviewing professional.
However, you must be careful with black as it is a strong color that absorbs light. This can make most details invisible, but you can overcome this by sticking to solids.
Another factor to consider is that black can convey drama and make you look unapproachable, making it a potentially risky choice for your Zoom interview if you’re applying for a job in a creative or laid-back environment, or one where you have to deal with people, such as customer service or retail.
2. Navy Blue
Projects: Professionalism, Calm, Trust, Confidence, Authority, Dependability, and Loyalty
Blue is a suitable color for job interviews in most industries, especially tech. It signifies calmness and trustworthiness and makes it easier for people to believe in your abilities.
It’s a classic, camera-friendly color that will help you project confidence in your Zoom interview.
Image by Andrea Piaquadio via Pexels
Like black, this hue is high on the authority scale and it gives the impression that you’re a team player who’s communicative, honest, trustworthy, and enterprising.
It’s a good option for industries like finance, business, and law. But, it’s not such a great option for a creative job. In such an environment, this darker shade of blue would be considered a little too conservative and might give the impression of coldness.
However, you can circumvent that by adding a splash of color to your outfit.
If nothing else, navy blue is easy on the eyes and it’s a great option to go with when in doubt. In fact, any shade of blue that isn’t blindingly bright will help you ace the “visuals” aspect of your interview.
Also Read: Thank You Email Examples After Zoom Interview
3. Gray
Projects: Logical, Wise, Analytical, Timeless, Practical, Rock-Solid, Reliable, and Sophisticated
Some people believe that understatement is overrated, but that’s never the case when you’re interviewing for a job on Zoom.
Gray is a great option to choose for any industry because it’s muted and won’t attract too much attention. This way, you avoid overpowering the person interviewing you and you can keep all the focus on your conversation and not on what you are wearing.
The color looks great as a suit or dress and lets you look powerful and authoritative without being too domineering.
Of course, a bit of color never hurts anyone, and you can add a bold accent color, such as a yellow scarf or red tie to add some personality and a sense of style.
Just remember, there are many shades of gray. Depending on your webcam quality, lighting, and background, you may need to choose between light and dark gray. Charcoal gray, for instance, looks great on camera. It makes you look confident and sophisticated without being too formal.
This is a great color to choose if you want a casual look that still feels professional. You can add some color in the form of a scarf or tie to your ensemble to bring out your personality.
However, before you don that dress or suit, keep in mind that gray can also be seen as a signal for invisibility, age, depression, and lack of direction.
If these are important factors in your industry then steer clear. For example, if you are applying for a job as a social media marketer targeting millennials, you don’t want attire that makes you look older and possibly out of touch with the current trends.
Also Read: Signs Your Interview Went Bad
4. White
Projects: Crisp, Clean, Modern, Neat, Organized, Truthful, Simple, Strong, and Confident
Image by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels
If you’re going to wear a shirt or blouse (as I hope you will), then white is a great option to choose from. It reads as organized and neat. It conveys the message that you are simple and truthful and that you pay attention to detail.
White is a great way to add a bit of brightness in a way that is not too overwhelming. It’s a safe bet for any industry but works particularly well for the health, wellness, fitness, and hospitality industries.
Honestly, you’d have to try really hard to go wrong with this color. The absolute best thing about white is that it is so easy to match and accessorize. Whether you add a scarf, tie, gloves, socks, or jewelry, anything goes, and you’ll look good regardless.
For example, if you are applying for a job in the food industry, wearing white would help you look like a serious professional with a good understanding of proper etiquette in the workplace.
As a general rule, the camera favors darker colors, but you can pull off a crisp white shirt if you have contrasting colors in the background.
Don’t wear a white shirt if you are very light-skinned or sitting in front of a white backdrop. The last thing you want is to blend in and disappear into your background.
Also, stay away from the very extreme of the color spectrum. If your clothes are too white (yes, there is such a thing), then the camera will have a hard time balancing out the exposure properly.
Did You Know: You can use contrasting colors to your advantage. Wear bright white and dark black, or white and navy together to appear more powerful and authoritative. If you want to seem more friendly and approachable, lower the degree of contrast.
Also Read: Interview Mistakes To Avoid
5. Green
Projects: Creativity, Security, Abundance, Growth, Luck, Balance, Love, Healing, and Success
Green looks good in dresses and shirts and creates an interesting visual effect – as long as you’re not using a green screen.
Choosing this as your main color is a great idea if you’re applying for a job in a creative industry like web design, advertising, etc. The creative industries also favor other bright colors like purple and yellow.
Just keep in mind that there are scales of colors. Green goes from warm apple to brilliant emerald to cadmium green, a shade that is overly bright and vivid. Choose a shade that complements your skin tone and surroundings and don’t overpower the room with your attire.
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6. Yellow
Projects: Happiness, Youth, Freedom, Optimism, Mental Concentration, Fun, and Creativity
Image by Marcus Aurelius via Pexel
Yellow is associated with someone who’s outgoing, positive, confident, and strong. If this is the message you want to communicate in your interview, then go ahead and put on your yellow dress or shirt.
Of course, we’re talking about softer, warmer shades of yellow here, not harsh or neon hues that hurt the eyes.
With the right shade, you’ll project an image of a happy, confident, and fun-loving professional who’d make a great addition to any team.
Also Read: Red Flags In An Interview – Warning Signs of a Bad Employer
7. Purple
Projects: Fun, Creative, Engaging, Prosperity, Spirituality, Wisdom, Royalty, Trust, and Luxury
Purple gives the feeling of opulence and wealth. Traditionally, it was the color of royalty but more recently it has come to be known for representing creativity, engagement, and fun.
These are great qualities that you want recruiters to sense in you if you’re applying for jobs in industries like entertainment, marketing, advertising, etc.
In these types of environments, this is a great way to make a good impression on your potential employer by showcasing a bit of your personality in your interview.
8. Red
Projects: Power, Passion, Excitement, Love, Assertiveness, Danger, Anger, and Aggressiveness
Image by Marcus Aurelius via Pexels
This feisty color exudes power, passion, and assertiveness. But it’s also the color of love, anger, and danger – which I’m sure isn’t the type of mood you’re trying to set in your Zoom interview. It’s probably also the reason why so many online posts dissuade job seekers from wearing it.
Choose this color if you want to be perceived as assertive and exude sexuality. It’s also a good choice if you need an energy boost.
Don’t wear it if you are feeling nervous and want to avoid too much attention or scrutiny.
Personally, I think red might be a tad much for a Zoom interview, but again, it depends on the industry you’re in.
In some industries, like banking and finance, it comes off too strong, but in others, like sales or law, it’s perfectly acceptable to wear to an interview.
To be on the safe side, I’d recommend steering clear of red for your next Zoom call unless you’re interviewing for a high-power position. In any other job interview, you may want to be seen as bold and assertive but may end up coming across as domineering and aggressive.
If you love red and just have to have it on, then you might consider a small pop of color in a red tie, handkerchief, or scarf to convey some of your personal flair without overdoing it.
Check Out: How To Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”?
What to Avoid Wearing For Zoom Interviews?
Below are a few tips on what you absolutely must avoid for your next professional Zoom call. If you wear any of these colors, it might send less favorable messages that might end up costing you a job offer.
These 10 basic rules will help you figure out what looks best on camera.
1. Opt for Solids Versus Patterns
Avoid stripes, polka dots, or busy florals. These types of designs can create a moire effect, whereby odd stripes and patterns appear in your video or images. This can be quite distracting to the person on the other end of the video interview.
Image by Ekaterina Bolovtsova via Pexels
Of course, something small, like a floral scarf is okay and it can help you make a statement without going over the top.
2. Choose Pastels or Neutrals Over Brights
As a Zoom interviewee, you don’t want to be remembered for your ensemble. Make sure it’s your job qualifications that stand out instead by choosing soft, muted colors rather than loud ones.
Also Read: Things Not To Say In An Interview
3. Choose Matte Over Glossy
Avoid wearing heavy materials that look glossy on camera. Rather opt for soft, non-reflective fabrics that dampen shadows and create a smooth body profile line.
4. Steer Clear of Multi Colors
As previously noted, you should avoid patterns. But also, make sure you avoid mixing multiple colors as this can be super distracting to the interviewer.
5. Avoid Brown At All Costs
This is a risky choice for an interview. Brown is not one of the colors that look best on camera and while it might convey comfort and reliability, it also gives people the impression that you’re simple and not open to change.
6. Don’t Wear Orange
Subject matter experts have condemned this color as indicative of someone who’s unprofessional.
7. Stay Away from Pink
Hot colors like pink may be flattering in certain situations, but they are a no-no for job interviews. The camera usually doesn’t replicate these types of colors correctly, and they can come across as too harsh.
Explore: How To Answer “What Are Your Salary Expectations”?
8. Tailor Your Outfit
Tailored is always better than loose or too tight. Make sure your clothing leaves a favorable impression by choosing something that complements your unique body shape and makes you look professional.
9. Avoid Wearing Green if Using Chroma Key or Green Screen
If you wear green you’ll blend in with your background and end up looking like a floating head.
10. Add Substantial Contrast
Add substantial contrast between the color of your garment and the Zoom background, otherwise, you will disappear into the background.
Bonus Tip: Always Wear Pants
When using Zoom or other similar types of medium, you don’t have to give too much thought to what is going on below your waist. However, it’s a good idea to always wear pants or a skirt so you don’t have a mishap and show your underwear to your interviewer.
And Remember
Visual cues matter a lot in visual communication. In addition to wearing the right colors, you must also consider your virtual background, as well as the elements you choose to curate your set.
Use this as your opportunity to show the hiring professional that you will fit in well with the organization’s culture.
For example, you can do a little research on the office environment of the hiring company, and if the culture is ultra-formal, make sure your attire and surroundings match that. If it’s super laid back, set up accordingly while still maintaining professionalism.
Image by Cottonbro Studio via Pexels
Look around your home for unique elements that reflect your skillset or personality and place them around you as part of your Zoom backdrop for the job interview. One way to earn easy points is to pick colors that match your industry or the hiring company’s branding palette.
Also Read: How To Answer “Why Should We Hire You”?
Conclusion
As this guide has shown, color has power and it greatly influences our emotions and behaviors. Do your best to choose colors that bring out your best characteristics so you step in front of the camera as the best version of yourself.
Here’s a quick summary to help you make the right choice:
- Darker Colors (e.g. Black, Navy Blue, Dark Gray): Choose these for more serious or professional roles in industries such as banking, finance, business, or the law.
- Bright Colors (e.g. White, Ocean Blue, Green, Yellow, Purple): Choose these when you want to make a bold statement – just be careful not to go overboard.
- Neutral Colors (e.g. Tan, Light Gray, Olive): Choose these colors if you want a safe option that looks good on camera. These are considered friendlier and less threatening, but they can also portray you as lacking power.
Don’t obsess over finding the exact right color. After all, color won’t make up for a lack of qualifications and it’s unlikely that the hiring decision will be made based only on whether or not you’re clothed in the right shade of blue.
Use the information in this article to help you use colors positively for video conferencing mastery so your attire can say the right things about you.
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